120 arrested in largest gang take-down in NYC history
NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Several federal agencies joined the NYPD in a major gang take-down in the Bronx Wednesday, sources told Fox 5 News. The round-up of two rival gangs from the Eastchester Gardens projects began at about 2:30 a.m. and extended into the Soundview, Classons Point, Castle Hill and Parkchester neighborhoods.
Police and federal agents arrested 120 people, making the gang bust the largest in New York City history, said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara during an afternoon news conference.
Members of the notorious 'BMB' and '2 Fly' gangs will face murder, drug, robbery and gun offense charges, according to sources. A turf war between the two rival groups wreaked havoc in the Bronx for a year. Among the charges is a murder charge in the death of Sadie Mitchell, 92, who was killed in her own home by a stray bullet, authorities said.
Hundreds of federal agents including Homeland Security, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, and the IRS were involved in the massive bust, some using helicopters and armored trucks.
The alleged gang members were taken to the 43rd and 50th precincts for processing.
Officials cited social media as a big tool in how they built this case against the gangs. They said they got warrants on over 100 Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts and more.